Prontogest IM injection- so much pain afterwards! What can I do? Help 😭

Hello lovely ladies,

Hope you’re all well.

Can I ask for your advice please? I’ve been REALLY struggling with my intramuscular progesterone injections lately...they are extremely painful! I do them every other day and change bum cheek every time, usually do them in the morning...massage the area after and walk a little to get the medication going.

However, by the evening I’m in agony. I can barely sit- or lay down- so so painful.

I’ve searched on google to see if we’re maybe making mistakes with the injections site but it’s fine- and so is the needle size 🙈

I’ve tried hot water bottle but is not helping.

What can I try? Do you have any experience with this?

I’ll see the nurses on Thursday but I’m not expecting much of an answer from them 😂

Sending love ❤️🍀🤞🏻✨💋and thank you for your help as always! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[amandac84]

Oh you poor thing! I haven’t got anything to help, I have the same but it only tends to be one side! Keep strong! Xx

[Hidden in reply to amandac84]

thanks Amanda, it was one side now it’s on both 🙈🙈🙈xx

[KiboXX]

Oh Issy, you poor thing 😢

I don’t have any advice I’m afraid but just wanted to send you a hug and I hope you get some useful pointers from other people!xx

[Hidden in reply to KiboXX]

Awww thanks Hun xx hope you’re enjoying your dinner ❤️I mean, the evening not the food itself 😂😂😂🤢🤢🤢🙈🙈🙈xxx

[Chel91]

Sorry to hear that you are struggling with those. Makes me kind of nervous, I hate pain!! 😅 I haven't started my progesterone injections yet (just did trigger last night), but my nurse prescribed me anesthetic cream patches that numb the skin before the injection. I think the main ingredient is lidocaine, maybe you can ask your nurse about it . Good luck xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Chel91]

Thanks Chel! Yes I’ve heard of that- but it’s the drug that causes pain in the muscles, not the actual injection so numbing won’t help 🙈not saying this to scare you ahahaha 🙈🙈🙈😂😂😂💋💋💋

[Montgomery2]

I’m on progesterone and I was given some extra needles they were double the thickness and bruised me like hell... I asked for different needles that has helped a lot x

[Hidden in reply to Montgomery2]

Hey Hun, yep tried to get smaller ones but because I’m quite chubby I need the bigger one (1.5inch) to get to the muscle 😱😱😱🙈🙈🙈x

[Montgomery2 in reply to Hidden]

Ah I’m injecting into my tummy! X

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to Montgomery2]

Eerrr have you double checked with your Dr about injecting Prontogest subcutaneously (in tummy)? I'm pretty certain they must be done intramuscular ...

[Montgomery2 in reply to Fingerscrossed38]

I’m on lubion sorry mix up my end..

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to Montgomery2]

Ahh that makes more sense

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to Hidden]

Have you tried the Emla numbing cream I mentioned? Is hubby administering them? Heat the area with a wheat bag before and after injecting....then rub the area for a few minutes. The area does get lumpy and itchy but trust me it's worth it in the end

[Rainbowhope]

I'm in exactly the same boat (again)!!!! I'm taking them every third day and they hurt like hell. Last night I couldn't sleep on the left side because it was so painful. I think maybe you should try numbing cream which will numb the area beforehand.

[Hidden in reply to Rainbowhope]

🙈I’ll try the cream but the thing that causes me pain is medication in my muscle...

[Lesmec]

I'm having these. Make sure you warm the oil up before injecting. I warm in my hands and then use a hot water bottle to keep warm whilst sorting out.

Then inject slowly and massage the area really well. I've still got a few lumps but since doing this is less painful during the day.

[Hidden in reply to Lesmec]

Thanks Lesmec, the only thing I don’t do of what you mention is keeping the area warm while sorting out- will try that! Do you have them every day? X

[Lesmec in reply to Hidden]

I have to do 3 times a week. Some days just hurt more than others too. This morning it hurt like hell, so massaged for longer.

Keeping the liquid warm does help though.

I did find that a hot water bottle on it helped a little but also made me get some lumps so stopped it after.

[Hidden in reply to Lesmec]

Oh no I’m sorry 😐 mine yesterday was the same- do you do them yourself? Hubby does mine (poor him, he’s really risen to the challenge 😂🙈)x

[Lesmec in reply to Hidden]

Yeah, hubby does mine (and he's terrified of needles so has totally stepped up). Couldn't do these myself as would be very awkward

[Hidden in reply to Lesmec]

Agree- poor hubbies, mine is terrified of needles too! Or shall I say ‘was’ 🙈I feel sorry to have put him through this, but he’s happy to be part of the process ❤️

[Lesmec in reply to Hidden]

I think he's the same. Although I have to do all the prep etc and he just stand me with it.

Hope yours are going well

[Hidden in reply to Lesmec]

We gotta suffer 😂🤞🏻🍀❤️

[Hidden]

I'm on the prontogest too... I don't find them too bad to be honest... Just the bruising on my bum looks awful. Areas are definitely tender to touch. I'm on the bigger gauge needles too as it had to reach the muscle. Don't think this helps with the bruising. If I end up being pregnant then consultant has mentioned about swapping back to pessaries long term xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Charlie, I have no bruising whatsoever...funny how people react differently to the same medication 🙈I don’t even bleed...nothing at all. Not sure you’ll be able to swap to pessaries, I’m doing those too 😃( 3 a day!) and I don’t have particular issues with my progesterone...it was slightly lower than they wanted it following my FET...so they added the injection 😱every other day....I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you! When is your OTD?🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Have to go for blood test tomorrow so fingers crossed. My consultant confirmed with me at my transfer that you can swap over to pessaries. I'm using pessaries too at the moment. I don't have progesterone problems either, that I'm aware of but I asked to go on prontogest for my 2nd transfer to ensure I'm covering all bases lol I bleed sometimes and other times not, but running out of places to inject now! Also got a few of those lumps under the skin you can get on these injections xx

[Charliebenj]

I put the vial in my bra to warm up before hand. I also bruise more when I put them in a slightly lower spot although it still within the correct zone.

This may be totally unhelpful based on your earlier response but the game changer for me was the smaller needles. I would double check you definitely can’t use them, I’m not slim and I do.

[Hidden in reply to Charliebenj]

Hey Hun, I’ve already checked re the needle 🥺they said they want me to use the big one to ensure the medication reaches the muscle...I’ve got 3.5 weeks left of this 😱😱😱such a torture!

Good thing is that I don’t bruise at all! X

[ttcemmie]

Oh god. Hope I don't have to do these! Well.... if I meant it was pregnant..... Anyway, if it's not numbing the area you need as you've said to others, then don't know what to say! Have you spoken to your clinic? You can't be the only person these injections have hurt! xxx Only for a short short period of your life. This won't be forever! Sending lots of love.

[Hidden in reply to ttcemmie]

Thanks Emmie ❤️Yes you’re right, it’s only temporary...only 3.5 weeks to go 😂😂😂yeah I’ve spoken to the clinic and they look at you like you’re stupid ‘what did you expect’ kinda thing....I think the medical team doesn’t really get that we are ‘normal’ people, not medical so yes injecting a 1.5inch needle deep into my body is not something I’ve ever done- or my hubby for the matter! I’ve asked my GP for help and they said they don’t provide the service 😳so you end up doing the best you can...the meds work because my progesterone levels are where they should be...but I hope I’m not damaging anything else (like sciatic nerve) as this pain is WOW and I have quite a high pain threshold (also, I was a semi pro tennis player and was used to injections and injuries and pushing through pain during tournaments and all that...so I’m not someone that gets scared easily by this stuff ahaha) .....anyway, how are you feeling hun? 😍😍😍😍😍😍news???? Sending luck 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[Hidden]

Oh dear those injections are the worst, I took them twice a week in my last pregnancy and boy the pain is just the worst. However I found that rubbing sheabutter (I don't know if you have access to it, it's in abundance here) made it easier. It helped it dissolve quicker and relieved the pain in the muscle.

If you can find it, spread some on the spot and give it a good rub, it helps.

Sorry ❤️, I know how it hurts 😬

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh hi love, how are you? Thanks for the tip, going straight to Boots today 😂I’ll do anything to help this pain...it gets worse and worse and the time goes 🙈xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes it does get worse by the day 😬.

Try to find the raw unrefined shea butter. Check Amazon or African Shops.

I am alright, losing my mind just lying about watching TV but got to do what I got to do.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I know same here although wfh (and always trying to find a comfortable seated position which I can’t find because I’m in pain) ....I have 2 weeks off work coming up so hoping to relax a bit. Whens your next scan? ❤️Mine is tomorrow..

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I should have had a scan today but because I went on Monday they say it's unnecessary.. so next one is in 2 weeks 23rd. I am tempted to just go there and ask for the scan anyway 😅, I won't though, I don't want to push my privilege.

If the scan on the 23rd is good I will be booked for the cerclage.

How exiting you get to see your bubba tomorrow 💃🏾, looking forward to your update.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ahaha we are scans addicts aren’t we? Two week is doable for waiting, although I’d prefer a weekly one 😂

I hope all is well with my 🦞, I’m always so anxious the day before the scan 🙈thank you sweetie ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Issy will you believe I have gotten that scan I said I won't get?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

OMG 😂😂😂😂naughtyyyy so? How is bubba? ❤️

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Started cramping and bleeding clots.. rushed to the hospital, got scanned, bubba is fine. I have been admonished to strict bed rest and no coming to the hospital unless it's two weeks or I am dying 😅

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That’s really good news!! BUT....BUT....I’m going to have to give you a little slap on hands (like you do to a kid that stole a biscuit lol) ....YOU MUST REST LADY! ❤️I know it’s boooooring but bubba needs rest and cuddles and so you gotta stay put ❤️Ok? 😉💋💋💋💋💋💋promise!!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The stress of it all.. this situation is turning me into someone else, saying one thing and then doing the complete opposite. Phew!

I am totally resting now, especially as they told me at the hospital there is nothing they can do about it. Just stay home, keep my fingers crossed and pray this bleeding will stop. The big clots scared me.

And yes I deserve that smack.. Thank you ❤️ ❤️❤️💞💞 💞

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I know Hun, it’s a very stressful situation...and it’s not easy to calm down, I understand- I’m trying to keep you company ❤️❤️❤️❤️If you’re bored write to me! 💋💋💋💋

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, you are a treasure ❤️ Say hello to your Little lobster tomorrow ❤️

[RhinoCat]

Awh pet, I have no Advice for the bruises. Can you ask your clinic about stomach to give you four sites?

Can you ask a nurse? It’s probably normal because of the needle size etc.... 😱

How long do you need to be on them?

Love and hugs 🤗

💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐

[Hidden in reply to RhinoCat]

Look my fave animal is here 🦏 🐈😍helloooooo hunnie!

Ah, it’s a lost battle- can’t be done in the stomach, needs to be intramuscular (so only bum!) needle is HUGE but I think what is really painful is the actual medication - I don’t even bruise.

Got to do them until week 12 of pregnancy, so 3.5 weeks more🙈

Seeing little 🦞 tomorrow 😍😍😍hope all is good with him/her 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🍀🍀🍀🍀✨✨✨✨I’m a bit anxious.

You- are about to start stimming, on the 18th right? I have got my cheer leading pom poms ready 😉💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💋💋💋💋💋how are you feeling?

[RhinoCat in reply to Hidden]

Awh pet, little you can do if it’s the medication I guess. My prostap was in my butt both times. First nurse left my arse sore for four days. This second time, only a bit sore the next day then fine.

The second nurse made me bend the knee on the side I was having the injection then breathe in whist she stAbbed, then in quick , and inhale whilst she she pulled it out. Felt totally fine compared to last nurse.

Not too many more weeks then , nice if you can count it down 😘😘😘 you are getting there!

It’ll be nice to hear how little 🦞 is getting along. Time seems to be flying but probably not for you 🤣

Getting scared about the needles again as I remember how stingy sore the menopur was. Hopefully once I get into the Gonal f , it’ll be fine . I needed 11 days of stims last time, prob same this time, who knows. Still off work so getting house work etc sorted . One positive of covid 19 is my husband can’t travel for work 💐🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉💐💐💐💐 I’ve counsellor on Friday , think it’s my last one ☝️ always am nervous leading up to that.

Love and hugs,

Hope you have a happy day 💐💐💖💖💖💖

🦞🦏🐈

[Fifikoko]

Are you warming the vial of progesterone before injecting? I think that helps.

I also put EMLA numbing cream on the injection site and covered with the special clear dressing for an hour before injecting.

I’m surprised your clinic told you to inject in the morning. I was told to do it at night. I would do it just before dead, fall asleep with hot water bottle near the spot too and that helped as well.

Not sure there’s any perfect answer to be honest! My pain would be delayed for about 2 days (I injected every third day on alternate sides) and I still get the odd twinge of pain now 5 weeks after stoping! 🙈

I hope it gets better for you and best of luck xxx

[Fifikoko]

I meant inject just before bed not dead! 😀